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RotoWire News: Balentien finished 2014 with 31 home runs, failing to lead his league in home runs for the first time in his four-year NPB career. Despite missing 32 games with injuries he still slashed .301/.419/.587. (11/15/2014)

Year in Review: Not so long ago a highly ranked prospect in the Mariners' system, Balentien disappointed in his 400 or so plate appearances with the parent club and became expendable last year as Seattle settled on an outfield of Ichiro, Gutierrez, and any number of other options in left field. He was then traded to Cincinnati and started 28 out of Cincy's last 61 games, appearing in an additional 12 games as late-game replacement/pinch-hitter. The change worked out for Balentien, who walked more and struck out less. His slash stats in Cincinnati – .264/.352/.427 – are a cause for some optimism, and even after accounting for the bandbox that is Great American Ballpark, gave him a 106 wRC+.

The Year Ahead: For as crowded as the outfield situation was getting in Seattle, the Reds' outfield entering 2010 might be even less forgiving. Jay Bruce, Drew Stubbs, Chris Dickerson, Chris Heisey, and Balentien himself: each has some sort of claim to playing time. As a result, Balentien's prospects for regular at-bats aren't promising. Left to his own devices, he'd be a good bet for about 25 home runs, probably – especially in Great American – but that doesn't seem likely under the current circumstances. His minor-league numbers suggest that he could handle center field, although that probably won't happen soon with the Reds. Until he's able to secure some plate appearances, his fantasy prospects are limited. (Carson Cistulli)